Russell George

Update On The Newtown Traffic Problems

russellgeorge — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:27:55 +0000

A number of people have asked me what happened at the Petitions Committee when Carl Sargeant, the Minister with responsible for Transport came to give evidence the other day. I have listed below the relevant part of the transcript from the National Assembly’s Website.

The National Assembly for Wales

The Petitions Committee – Tuesday, 10 January 2012

205] Russell George: Yes. First, may I say that Mr Saady’s views are probably those of the minority in mid Wales. Indeed, one petition had a few hundred signatures and one had more than 5,000. So, although we are looking at the two together, the vast majority of people support the bypass. However, I think that Mr Saady’s views are also valid because some of his ideas need to be adopted as well as the bypass. That is worth pointing out as well. Obviously, the Newtown bypass has been subject to continuous delays since it was first put in the trunk road forward programme. I think that people will now want a timetable for that programme and to know when the construction phase will start. It would be useful if you could outline that. Most importantly, the many thousands of people who signed the petition probably want to know when the first car will drive onto that new bypass. That is the bottom line. If he could detail a timetable, I would appreciate that.
10.45 a.m.
[206] Carl Sargeant: You will be aware of the reprioritisation within the national transport plan regarding my actions on the Newtown bypass. The provisional start date for publication of the orders is in that proposal, which is 2012-13. Beyond that, it would be wrong of me to make any further discussion points on the Newtown bypass, on the basis that I have made my decision to pursue this proposal and have indicated when I will be laying the orders for discussion. Subject to the detail of the letter that you have there, all residents and all people will have the opportunity, subject to a public inquiry and publishing the orders, to express their views in either direction. From that, I will make a decision on the scheme, subject to a public inquiry, without prejudice. I do not want to be accused of prejudicing my decision at this early stage. My commitment to the scheme has been clearly mapped out in the national transport plan.
[207] William Powell: Thank you for setting out the context of the procedure that we need to follow. Colleagues have areas that they want to pursue, but it may be safer to move on to the other issue—which we have considered for some time—of petition P-02-162. It is about road safety concerns on the A40 in Llanspyddid, just outside Brecon. Bethan, I believe that you want to lead on this—
[208] Russell George: Sorry, Chair, are we going back to the Newtown issue? There were some other questions—
[209] Carl Sargeant: On the Newtown bypass, I have made my decision-making process for the future clear. I would not want to compromise that. I am happy, subject to some of your questions, to discuss issues around the other petition that you have on traffic congestion and the roundabout.
[210] William Powell: Sorry, I misinterpreted and was being overcautious. Joyce, you have the green light to go back to planning.
[211] Joyce Watson: It is the red lights that are stopping the traffic. [Laughter.]
[212] Happy new year, Minister. You issued a letter dated 29 July last year, saying that discussions with residents and other observations suggest that the new signalling system in the town is working well. Could you elaborate on that?
[213] Carl Sargeant: I would like to think that I operate in an open and transparent manner, and that when we get things wrong, we should say so. When the lights were installed, they were not working effectively. I asked my team to look at that closely. We remodelled and—what is the technical term for what you do to the lights to realign them?
[214] Mr Davies: Recalibrate.
[215] Carl Sargeant: The lights have been recalibrated. We believe that there has been a marked difference in the way that traffic flows through Newtown. However, we also believe that the Newtown bypass solution would bring enhanced benefits to the Newtown area. Subject to my decision, we believe that there would be ongoing benefits to a Newtown bypass—should it happen—and that it will have a direct effect on that junction and the traffic flow through Newtown. We recognise that there was an issue with the lights, but we believe that we have recalibrated them and that there is now an easing of traffic flow through the town.
[216] William Powell: To take that a step further, you have indicated that a before-and-after study has been undertaken, comparing past and current congestion levels. Is that study around the recalibration exercise that you have just mentioned?
[217] Carl Sargeant: Yes, the modelling study is ongoing, and once we have that data, we will do some scenario simulation, with regard to the computerised signalisation of traffic lights and roundabouts, to see whether any benefit analysis can be taken from the data. I suggest, Chair, that we need a little more time to ensure that we are able to find the right solution, which may be in place after the computerised modelling study. Anecdotally, we have heard arguments from both sides of the fence, with some people saying that the situation is worse, while others are saying that it is better. I want to think that we operate statistically, and so, when I have that modelling study data, I will be happy to share some of it with the committee. I will make my decision on whether we should move to a different style of junction or continue with the current junction, but I will base that decision on the statistical data that I receive from my department.
[218] William Powell: It would be helpful for our consideration of both of these petitions to have those data as soon as possible.
[219] Russell George: I appreciate your honesty, Minister, about the fact that the new SCOOT system that was introduced is not working as expected. People will appreciate your honesty about that. We are grateful that you will provide that before-and-after study information to the committee to consider once it has been finalised. When you look at that statistical information, will you consider the real feeling that people are avoiding the town and using other routes? So, in looking at that modelling study, please take into account that, yes, traffic has eased, but that it might be as a result of people using other routes. I am pleased that you mentioned that you would be prepared to re-examine that junction. Will you comment on whether you would be prepared to consider putting a trial roundabout back in place—and I say ‘trial’ because that would not involve any great expense—given the feeling that the traffic problems in Newtown were considerably worse after the roundabout was removed? Will you confirm that you will at least consider putting a trial roundabout back in place?
[220] Carl Sargeant: I can assure the committee and the Member that, if I believe that congestion could be considerably eased by way of a different model, I will seriously consider an alternative method of providing a different style of junction—whether that be a temporary roundabout or otherwise. What I will not do is pre-empt the statistics that are coming through, because while you suggest that it would not be too expensive, there will be an expense, and I will not act on anecdotal evidence that it would be better. I will base my decision on fact. However, I will seriously consider and pursue any better alternatives.
[221] Russell George: When do you expect the before-and-after study to be available to us?
[222] Carl Sargeant: I imagine that the data will be completed by next month. We have just had Christmas, when traffic flows are different, so I want to get a complete package that will better inform us on the right decisions as to whether we should or should not make any changes. The expense that could be incurred on the back of a potential bypass solution for Newtown must also be taken into consideration. I am more than happy to share the data with the committee, subject to them being robust and complete. So, when I have the data, I will share them with you.

Christmas On the High Street

russellgeorge — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:05:56 +0000

As the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, one of my main objectives for 2012 will be strengthening the Mid Wales economy. I have already secured two meetings in January with the Ministers for Business and Transport, to see what Welsh Government can do help boost business growth. I have also managed to secure a visit by the Business Minister to Newtown to meet with businesses on the ground, so they can tell the Minister directly, what exactly they need from government to be more competitive.

There is no doubt that the economic outlook for next year is going to be tough. High Streets in towns and cities up and down the country are going feel the squeeze as household incomes contract. However, one potentially positive message came from Mary Portas last week, who published a report on the future of our High Streets.

Many of you will know Mary Portas from such BBC television series as ‘Mary Queen of Shops’. As one of the UK’s leading retail marketing consultants, she was commissioned by the Prime Minister back in May, to lead an independent review into the future of our High Streets. In her final report unveiled last week, she makes a number of key recommendations to set about regenerating our ‘failing’ High Streets, which included improving the management of High Streets with new ‘town teams’, more affordable town centre car parking and disincentives for landlords who leave shops empty.

Her principal message was clear – yes our High Streets are at crisis point but if we invest in and create social capital in the heart of our communities, then economic capital will naturally follow.

Having read the report from the both a political and business perspective, I found myself agreeing with the majority of the recommendations made. We do need to look at our High Streets in a different way and we need to redefine their role and purpose because only a radical new vision for our town centres will ensure their viability in the future.

I think that some of the ideas in the report must be examined by both the Welsh Government and Powys Council because it is vital that government at all levels have the responsibility to work with shops to regenerate our town centres. For example, if Welsh Ministers supported Welsh Conservative proposals to scrap business rates for small business, this would not only ease the financial burden but it would also encourage new business start-ups to enter the market.

Again with parking, if the council made it free to park on certain days of the week, I believe this would encourage shoppers to come into our town centres, rather than shop in out-of-town outlets, which would increase footfall and help stimulate business growth.

There is no simple answer to retail revitalisation but we must all work together to find opportunities and workable solutions tailored to cater for local needs.

I am very pleased that a Newtown Chamber of Trade has been established. I have been promoting this over the past few months, so I am delighted that it has taken off the ground. I have also been working with the FSB and the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group in recent weeks, to see how we can encourage manufacturing growth and additional trade across Mid Wales. Finally, I am due to meet with a business forum in Welshpool early in the New Year and I will do all that I can to help their cause in revitalising Welshpool and make it a town where people want to spend quality time and money.

There is a lot of work to do in 2012 and I do not underestimate the significant challenges ahead. However, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

More Research on Wind Turbine Noise Vital

russellgeorge — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:13:18 +0000

As a member of the National Assembly’s Petitions Committee, I put forward the suggestion of further research into noise nuisance from onshore wind turbines at this weeks meeting following the significant number of public responses to the Committees consultation on this issue.

Descriptions of the noise provided to the Committee by those living near turbines ranged from ‘pounding’, ‘humming’, ‘growling’ and ‘whining’, through to a noise which was deemed, ‘unbearable to live with’.

The majority of the members of the public who responded to the consultation reported that the noise ‘regularly disrupts their sleep’ leading to stress, depression and health concerns.

We know as a Committee that guidance within TAN 8, which assesses and rates noise from wind farms, sets out noise levels within which a turbine must operate in order to protect public health. These guidelines state that wind turbine noise will be audible to some neighbours and at times may be ‘very audible.

However, these guidelines have not been reviewed in well over a decade and in that time, the height and size of turbines have increased, which could well have an impact on noise levels emitted.

I seriously think we need further research on this issue because as we have seen from many of concerns raised from the public, noise from turbines is not just a nuisance, it is having a huge impact on people’s daily lives and on their health and wellbeing.

I also stand by my call to have a moratorium on all wind farm applications until a thorough review of TAN 8 is completed.

I was pleased that the Committee also agreed to undertake a site visit early in the New Year, to hear the noise impact of an onshore wind farms for themselves.

Armed Forces Letter

russellgeorge — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:12:03 +0000

I wrote to the editors of the Western Mail and the Daily Post this week about Wales’ commitments to the Armed Forces. This is the letter I sent:

Dear Editor

This week I had the privilege of speaking in a Welsh Conservative-led debate on support for our Armed Forces Community in Wales. I think we would all agree that as a nation, we have a duty to give the brave and capable men and women of our armed forces our full support in return for the selfless service and sacrifice they are prepared to make in our name.

However, we should not just talk about these issues for one week of the year around Remembrance Day but raise them throughout the year. We must ensure that they have what they need to do what we ask of them and that they and their families are looked after properly during and after the service they give to us and our country.

I feel so strongly about this issue that a few weeks ago, when backbench AMs had the chance to submit an idea for a ballot which would give one us the opportunity of bringing forward Welsh legislation, I put forward the proposition of an Armed Forces Bill for Wales. This was a key Welsh Conservative manifesto pledge from May’s election and the objectives were simple – it would help forces personnel to play a full role in society and give them the opportunity they need to socialise and make the most of travel, heritage and leisure facilities; it would raise awareness of the availability of NHS priority care for service related conditions, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; and it would allow wider civil society in Wales to recognise their service and bravery for all that they do on our behalf. Unfortunately, the lottery system meant I did not get selected.

However, ahead of the debate and much to my welcome surprise, the Welsh Government has come forward and published its own package of support for the Armed Forces Community in Wales. This was a real positive step forward and I am pleased that Government has taken forward some elements of the Armed Forces Card that we prioritised in our manifesto.

Yet, there is still the opportunity for the Government to go further with this package of support because I believe some of the commitments fall short of what we believe is necessary – particularly around health support – to provide the best for our armed forces personnel.

The Government said it is a ‘living document’, which is flexible and can be enhanced in the future. Therefore, I hope the Minister took on board the excellent suggestions made by all AMs during the debate because these people who have sacrificed so much for their country deserve our full recognition and full support.

Russell George AM

National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire

Powys Council 10 have six months to prove their worth

russellgeorge — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:16:02 +0000

Every four years you get the chance to decide who you want to represent you on Powys County Council. In just six months’ time, you will again have that opportunity to cast your vote.

The Council is currently run by an administration of Liberal Democrat and Powys Independent councillors and it is effectively these councillors that have appointed 10 of their own to run the council.

Next week, Powys County Council’s 10 member cabinet will announce its plans on its school modernisation programme and its preferred way forward. At this stage we know very little about the final set of proposals but the Council has insisted that all 13 secondary school sites will remain open. However it is obviously a worrying time for pupils, parents, teachers and governors whose futures hang in the balance. Many Year 11 pupils are making decisions about their A levels and where to study them right now. I attended nearly all of the public meetings in Montgomeryshire earlier this year and I can tell you quite categorically that there was next to no support for the options the Council was putting forward.

The Welsh Conservative group on the Council was not happy that the final decision should stay with just the 10 cabinet members, due to the controversial and divisive impact that the potential ‘modernisation’ plans will have in the County. They, as many others did, believed that any final decision should be made by the full Council of 73 members and a motion to allow this to happen was put forward at a recent meeting. The Welsh Conservative, Labour and Shire Independent groups all voted in favour of the motion, whilst the majority of the Liberal Democrat and Powys Independent councillors voted against. The ruling groups narrowly won the vote and it will now be left to the 10 member cabinet to have the final word on these plans.

This week, I took it upon myself to ask a few people at random what they knew about these 10 Liberal Democrat and Powys Independent councillors that make up the cabinet. Some knew very little, others mentioned that these were the 10 that voted to give themselves a 40% increase. However, the one consistent response that was given to me was that it was these 10 that orchestrated the vote so that the final decision on the future of our schools should be made by them, rather than all the elected councillors across Powys.

As we edge closer and closer to the elections next May, I would fully expect “the 10” to be telling us what they intend to do if a Liberal Democrat and Powys Independent council is returned to office and to demonstrate that their recent 40% pay increase (a raise from what the previous board members received) is fully justified. I should say at this point, that indeed some of the 10 have written letters in the County Times attempting to do just that. It is now for you the voter to decide to accept or reject what they have done in your name.

If you are not happy with what the Council has done, you can naturally exercise your democratic right and vote against them. But why not go one step further; why not consider putting yourself forward and stand for public office?

I know dozens and dozens of people who with a spirit of altruism, personal integrity, conviction of purpose and individual responsibility would excel in representing their community; and it is that aspect which is the most important feature of the job. The greatest privilege anyone can have is to serve other people. The job is not easy nor should it be but it is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have. If you are interested to know more, please do contact me and I would be happy to discuss with you my own experiences as a County Councillor and what the job entails.

I will leave you to think about this proposal with a twist on the immortal words uttered by US President John F. Kennedy at his inaugural address: “Ask not what your county can do for you but ask what you can do for your county!”

Energy Inquiry Throwing Up Interesting Evidence

russellgeorge — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:05:41 +0000

I have found the last months weeks as a member of the National Assembly’s Environment and sustainability Committee very useful.

For those not aware, the Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into energy and planning policy in Wales. It is the Committee’s first major piece of work and I certainly pushed hard for this inquiry when the Committee discussed its forward work programme.

I believe this inquiry will be an opportunity for Members to properly scrutinise, in detail, Welsh Government policy on all aspects of renewable and non-renewable energy generation and how the Government intends to meet Wales’ future energy needs.

It is also an important vehicle for Welsh citizens to have their say. I was pleased that Members ensured that the Terms of Reference incorporated two key petitions submitted to the Petitions Committee, allowing us to examine the public’s concerns in relation to Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8 planning guidance. I was also amazed by the scale of written evidence that was submitted to the Committee team during the public consultation period, which took place over the summer. Over 300 submissions were received, which ranged from individual letters from members of the public, to collective submissions from town and county councils, through to environmental and agricultural NGOs and of course, energy companies.

What really struck me going through the evidence was the amount of in-depth knowledge displayed by members of the public. It was obvious that many of these people have become key campaigners in their communities and have dedicated hours to meticulously researching Government policy at local, nation and UK level, as well as pouring over environment, energy, land and local government legislation to such a degree that they have probably attained expert witness status!

Over the last month, Members have had the opportunity to receive oral evidence from a number of key individuals and organisations involved in planning, generating and monitoring the energy sector in Wales and the UK. I have never had the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses on this scale or in as much detail before. There have been a number of notable witnesses not least in the first meeting, when Members cross examined in two separate sessions, the First Minister, Carwyn Jones and the environment Minister, John Griffiths.

What was telling from the responses that we were given from both men was there was a distinct divergence in policy appraisal – the First Minister suggested that Welsh Government’s central planning guidance on renewables, TAN 8, had become irrelevant due to the UK government’s National Policy Statement, who could now sanction onshore wind farms over 50MW anywhere in Wales. However, the Environment Minister claimed the policy document was still very much an important part of the Welsh Government’s planning strategy.

In the last meeting, there was intriguing evidence given to us by the associated voice of the renewable energy industry – RenewableUK. Their evidence was telling because they state that the Government’s renewable energy policy was, at present, very confused and has damaged investor confidence. They feel it is important that the Government now ‘refresh’ its TAN 8 policy guidance and examine all options that will increase renewable energy generation. I personally think that this is a sensible approach but I certainly would not want to predict the recommendations of the Committee. All I can do is to ensure that the Committee’s recommendations are comprehensive, challenging and robust.

We have a number of sessions ahead of us yet and I am sure the evidence will continue to be enlightening.

Click here to see the original post on the ITV website

Enterprise Zones in Mid Wales

russellgeorge — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:03:10 +0000

This week I wrote to the Welsh Business and Enterprise Minister asking her to seriously consider Powys as a potential site for the second tranche of Enterprise Zones to be announced before Christmas.

In the letter, I told her that I was pleased the Government was examining areas beyond the main industrialised towns and cities and hoped that rural Mid Wales would feature in her second phase announcement.

The Minister has stated that she has been discussing additional Enterprise Zones with other local authorities and I have asked her what discussions she has had with Powys County Council and other key stakeholders in the region, regarding the potential establishment of an Enterprise Zone in Mid Wales.

Powys would benefit significantly from an Enterprise Zone and I believe the region has a lot of positive elements to offer in driving forward the Government’s Economic Renewal Programme for Wales.

For many years, Powys has delivered high end manufacturing employment in a variety of sectors – textiles, automotive, sustainable development and low carbon technologies.

It has also made a significant contribution to the Welsh tourism and food and farming sectors, which have been identified by the Government as priority sectors for development.

Its geographical location to the English border also makes it an ideal location to make specific business links with important cities like Birmingham but also with the English Enterprise Zones in Hereford and the Black Country.

I think a zone in the Severn Valley would add real value to the Welsh economic recovery and I hope the Minister gives my suggestion serious consideration.

Newtown Traffic Update

russellgeorge — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:04:22 +0000

Following my update on the Mid Wales Connection project, I thought it would be a good time to update you on another area which remains on the top of my in tray! – The Newtown and Mid Wales traffic problems!

We are all aware that Newtown has experienced serious traffic problems years but the situation has deteriorated considerably since the Kerry Road roundabout was removed. Residents and businesses can see that the traffic system implemented by the Welsh Government far from resolving the problem is slowly choking our region, stagnating economic growth and ensuring that tourists avoid the area at all costs. You will all remember on 23rd March, a delegation of 50 people joined me to hand in a 10,000 strong petition to members of the National Assembly for Wales’ Petitions Committee, on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff, asking for a resolution to the town’s traffic problems.

We all know that the long-term solution to this problem is the Newtown Bypass. Since I became an Assembly Member at the start of May, rarely has a day gone by when I have not been stopped and asked about the Bypass, how the project was proceeding, when it was going to be started and more importantly, when it was going to be finished.

Trying to ascertain the facts and obtain clear answers from Government has not been easy. I have repeatedly asked questions of the Welsh Government regarding the Bypass and I have written to the new Transport Minister on several occasions, asking for more detail and a clear timeline of the project from now until the Bypass is completed. I have also pursued them on their previous commitment to give serious consideration to restoring the Kerry Road roundabout. It has now come to the point where I have had to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the Welsh Government, in order to release more documents about its plans to resolve the traffic problems.

I must tell you that the most recent information that I been given by the Minister, has certainly not filled me with confidence that the Government has truly got to grips with the issues at all. In a letter dated the 11th August, three key things were made clear to me. Firstly, as technical advisors for the project will not be appointed until this autumn, the start date of 2013, which was previously indicted to my colleague Glyn Davies MP in March by the former Transport Minister, is becoming increasingly unachievable. Secondly, that the guaranteed commitment of capital funding from the Welsh Government to allow the construction to go ahead, is still in doubt. Finally and most extraordinary of all, is that the Government believes that the new traffic light management system which they installed 18 months ago, has improved traffic conditions in the town!

I found this admission, as will many of you, truly amazing. So much so that as part of this update letter, I am now asking for your help to push this campaign on again. We have seen that with the fight against pylons and the Mid Wales Connection Project, public pressure does yield results. Therefore, I am asking you to please send a letter to the new Transport Minister, Carl Sargeant AM, telling him that the traffic conditions have certainly not improved and asking him to act decisively to re-introduce the Kerry Road roundabout and to fast track the Newtown Bypass scheme, so that construction can start without delay.

Please do contact me (Russell.George@wales.gov.uk) if you would like the Ministers address. An example letter that you could use as a template is also available. Please feel free to personalise the letter with your own name and address, making any additional comments that you feel appropriate.

This is a critical time as the new Minister will be reviewing the National Transport Plan for Wales in the autumn. We need to show the Welsh Government that we are united and serious about wanting urgent action.

Concerns About Maternity Services

russellgeorge — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:49:22 +0000

The first debate of the new Assembly term yesterday was on maternity services. I thought it right to highlight the challenges that existed in delivering maternity services in rural Wales and in particular, how reliant expectant mothers in Montgomeryshire are on emergency treatment from hospitals in England. I have included extracts of what I said during the hour long debate below

“It is apt that in Rural Health Week, I have the opportunity to raise the particular challenges that delivering maternity services to dispersed rural communities presents.

“While I do welcome the Government’s new strategy and its focus on improving standards and outcomes, maternity services need to be planned in such a way that they meet the needs of the local population, whilst also promoting best practise.

“Maternity services in Powys are unique – it has one of the highest levels of home births anywhere in the UK. It has led the way in developing a strong midwife-led service and this shows that we have taken innovative and practical steps in solving some of the rural challenges that we face.

“However, the simple fact of the matter is that for elective, complex or emergency treatment, we rely heavily on the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. That is why I have real concerns about the reconfiguration of services in Shropshire.”

“The removal of consultant-led services from Shrewsbury to Telford could potentially put many women at increased risk.

“Can we possibly allow women suffering complicated pregnancies or difficult labours, not only to travel further but when they get there not guarantee them a specialist bed?

“The Welsh Government and Powys Health Board must both take proactive action to ensure that women living in Powys experience an excellent and above all safe service. After all, giving birth is possibly one of the great experiences a woman will have in her lifetime and we all have a duty to ensure that it is the very best experience it can be.”

Montgomeryshire & Shropshire Wildlife Trusts Position Statement of large-scale wind farms and infrastructure

russellgeorge — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:57:55 +0000

I have copied this very welcome statement from Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust below.

The trust is quite right to question the wisdom of concentrating wind farms into areas that are remote from sources of demand and locating wind farms away from existing infrastructure.

The Montgomeryshire and Shropshire Wildlife Trusts Position Statement on large-scale wind farms and their associated infrastructure

Scope of position statement
This statement sets out the Trusts’ position in relation to large-scale wind farms in mid-Wales and their associated infrastructure. This statement should be read in conjunction with The UK Wildlife Trusts’ policies on climate change and wind farms on land.
Context
The Wildlife Trusts believe that climate change is almost certainly the most significant challenge facing nature conservation today, with the potential to have significant impacts on the future of UK and global biodiversity. We consider that wind power can help to meet the energy requirements of the UK in a sustainable
manner, but these benefits cannot mitigate or compensate for any impacts on wildlife or on wildlife sites that are associated with wind farm developments.
Up to now every wind farm has been judged under its own merits with objections lodged to those that would cause significant harm to wildlife or wildlife sites.
Nevertheless, the Trusts have long been concerned about the cumulative effect of large-scale wind farm development and with many upland areas of Mid-Wales
already covered with wind farms, the impact of hundreds more turbines is likely
to be significant. To date, there has also been widespread failure of the mitigation measures connected with large-scale wind farms to compensate for the loss of key species and habitats.
Of greatest concern is the huge scale of the new generation of wind farms currently proposed for large parts of the Mid-Wales uplands. These wind farms require major alterations to the rural road network, as well as a new electrical substation and extensive new electrical grid connections. When these new largescale wind farm developments are considered together with their associated infrastructure, the impact on the area’s wildlife could be devastating.
The way forward
We believe there should be a more strategic and long term approach to meeting the UK’s energy needs.
The Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8: Planning for Renewable Energy was published by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2005 to provide technical advice on renewable energy to supplement the policy set out in Planning Policy Wales. The Trusts question the wisdom of:
• concentrating wind farms into defined areas that are remote from
sources of demand
• locating large-scale wind farms in areas not served by, or in proximity to, existing infrastructure
• so great an emphasis being placed on wind power as the primary form of renewable energy TAN 8 also considered wind farm technology of the time and this was at a much smaller scale than that available today. With these points in mind, the Trusts
believe that TAN 8 should be reviewed as soon as possible, with greater emphasis on other forms of renewable energies.
The most cost effective and sustainable approach to meeting our energy needs is to reduce demand for energy through effective energy efficiency measures. This should be central to all energy policy and cover all sectors.
When considering renewable energy generation, the Trusts believe that the focus should be on micro-generation. Not only do these small-scale projects have a minimal ecological impact themselves, but they also do not require the massive infrastructure needed for large-scale developments.
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
July 2011